The answer to this seemingly simple question would be a resounding “Yes!” if you asked me today. But I can think back to some years ago, around the time I was starting my first novel translation, when I answered differently. “Oh, no,” I replied. “I don’t have the imagination for fiction. I work with what someone else has already created.”
I don’t think I’m alone in my misconception. Many new translators see themselves as, well, translators. Not writers. And yet translation is writing. No matter what our area of expertise – literary, medical, legal, environmental –, to translate a text is to write it in another language.
Think of it this way: Would a musician deny he is an artist because he didn’t compose the songs on the album?
As translators we must know our grammar, vocabulary and elements of style. But we must also play with language: sound, meaning, humor, feel, flavor, history, culture, nuance, intent, tone. Every sentence in our texts must be well-written to convey what the author intended.
But it’s not like we get there overnight. And that may be why, early in our careers, we don’t see ourselves as writers. Budding writers might not see themselves that way either. But by working at our craft, in time, the closer we get to Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000 hours of practice, we can eventually make our words sing.
A Twitter pal, @MoiraineM, often throws out interesting questions for discussion. She recently asked if we remembered what our first translation was. I don’t exactly, but think they were school transcripts or some university diploma. I know my work was revised – and likely needed a fair amount of it! When I look back at my very first translation in a lit mag, a short story, I cringe and want to recall every copy ever published. Oh, the mistakes! The lack of grace!
But even then I was writing. Not well, necessarily. But writing. Through translation. And slowly I improved. And eventually I saw myself and my profession for what they are. While I still don’t necessarily have the imagination to create fiction, I’m most certainly a writer.
Translators, do you see yourselves as writers? Have you always? Readers, do you see translators as writers? Why or why not? I’d love to hear your thoughts in a comment.
